Lady Rams ready for postseason

April 27, 2012

RUIDOSO — Senior Vanessa Olivas hit her first career home run, a second-inning grand slam in the second game, and the Portales Lady Rams finished off the regular season with a 14-3, 19-3 District 4-3A softball sweep of Ruidoso on Friday.

Senior Kelsey Laurenz worked two abbreviated complete games although her sister, sophomore catcher Simone Laurenz, missed the games because of a leadership conference she was attending in Las Cruces.

The Lady Rams will host a first-round Class 3A state tournament game either Friday or Saturday next week against an opponent to be determined.

Portales (24-1, 8-0 district), the defending 3A state runnerup, won the opener in six innings on the 10-run rule and took the nightcap from the Lady Warriors (5-21, 0-8) in three on the 15-run rule.

"I'm proud of the way the girls have played this season," Lady Rams coach Robbie Crowley said. "We didn't end up 24-1 for no reason.

"It hasn't been easy for us — we've had to come (from behind) in some games. It's definitely been a team effort."